Houston City Council Member Willie Davis announced a new initiative aimed at addressing the growing concerns over violent crime in the community.
The initiative, titled “Police, Pastors, & People,” seeks to enhance collaboration between law enforcement, faith leaders, and community stakeholders.
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The announcement was made at a press conference, where Council Member Davis will be joined by Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, METRO Police Chief Ban Tien, and representatives from various law enforcement agencies and partner organizations. These include Harris County Constables, Crime Stoppers Houston, AAPOL, and Houston Ministers Against Crime, among others.
Davis said he believes the collaboration with religious leaders will help to slow down crime in Houston.
“If you are a pastor... Sign up with us,” Davis said. “We want to make our city a better city.”
During the press conference, Davis sited data collected by Houston Police Department and other entities showing that Houston’s violent crime totals trended 4.6 percent upwards from 2023 to 2024.
“We have to get these numbers down,” Davis said.
Thee press conference took place on Feb. 13 at the City Hall Legacy Room, located at 901 Bagby Street.
After Davis spoke, Mayor Whitmire explained why he supports the initiative.
“We have a great city with great people, but we have challenges like most major cities,” Mayor Whitmire said. “The only way you’re going to solve these challenges is if you admit you have an issue.”
Mayor Whitmire added that he wants to see the city work to provide second chances to those charged with nonviolent crimes but continue to be tough on violent and dangerous perpetrators. Specifically, he echoed the concerns around policies that allow violent criminals to end up back out in the streets after being charged with severe offenses.
“It’s unheard of in my career in Austin that you would give a capital murderer—the most severe charge you can give someone—a bond, but it’s happening here in Harris County,” Whitmire said.
